Turmoil in Turkey
On July 15, there was an attempt to forcibly remove Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erodgan from power. This action is called a coup d’etat. While detailed motives of the perpetrators are not yet fully known, the nation of Turkey has a long history of military coups. This latest attempt ultimately failed and left 250 people […]
Brexit: What Does It All Mean?
Last week, the people of the United Kingdom went to the polls and voted 52% to 48% in favor of leaving the European Union. It is being called Brexit (for British Exit). The news is causing quite a stir around the world, as leaders and experts gather to determine what comes next. This week, we […]
Remembering “The Greatest”
The year 2016 has been an especially significant one for deaths of our country’s heroes. The most recent loss to create a significant void is Muhammad Ali. Beyond his considerable skill as a boxer, Ali was an important cultural figure–outspoken and not afraid to take big risks in the name of fighting injustice. Humble Beginnings Ali […]
Get in the Park!
Parks have been around for as long as people have thought to designate some green space for tossing around a ball or spreading out a picnic blanket. With obesity rates on the rise and a continued stress-equals-success attitude, these havens of leisure are more important than ever. A new study conducted by the RAND corporation […]
Monotasking: One Thing at a Time
How often do you start reading something—an article, a story for school, an email—and jump to something else—another article, a text, or your Instagram? Some people call this multitasking while others say it’s distraction. Long before everyone became equipped with devices, the world was becoming increasingly busy. Consistent attempt at making things “easier”—two cars instead of […]
City-wide Eco-Efforts
Two years ago, btw brought you some facts about the history of Earth Day. This year, we recognize the holiday with a look at the efforts of some cities across the country toward becoming more environmentally conscious while keeping costs (to both businesses and taxpayers) reasonable. San Francisco, California As a large coastal city, San […]
Explaining the Panama Papers
Earlier this month, confidential files from a law firm called Mossack Fonseca were made public. The documents, collectively called “the Panama Papers,” were leaked by an anonymous source to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), who shared them with various news organizations. This week, btw breaks down the basics, offers a comparison of other […]
Read My Lips* – Talking Taxes
It’s that time of year again, when people scramble to get receipts and tax returns to accountants (or the numerically-savvy), and numbers and letter combinations like “W2” and “1040” enter casual conversations. In recognition of Tax Season, btw takes a look back at some history of taxes in the United States. New Nation, Old System […]
The Fierce Urgency of Now: Obama In Cuba
It’s been more than a year since btw brought you news of President Obama’s announcement of the U.S. foreign policy shift regarding our neighbor, Cuba. Last month, the president and his family made a three-day visit that marked the first time an American president has set foot on the island in nearly 90 years. (The […]
Happy 100, National Parks!
Last year, more than 305 million people visited a national park or monument across the U.S. Made up of a collective 84 million acres, they are the National Park Service (NPS), a federal agency tasked with both preserving the land and making it accessible to visitors. In honor of its 100 years, we take a […]